As we enter our 33rd week in corona times, I realize it has been a long time since I had a good night's sleep. Most mornings I wake up with the taste of an unsettling dream on my tongue, weighed down by whatever disturbing or confounding images were playing out during my "rest" that are now just out of reach. Earlier this week, I awoke in the morning with the following soundtrack playing in my head and on my lips, be gentle with yourself, be gentle with yourself. While I have no memory of what I dreamt that night, it was a blessing to awaken with a message of kindness from within. This
experience took place on the heels of our Rosh Hodesh group which focused on paying attention to what's going on within, so we may best practice self-care. Like the moon, we have the capacity to renew ourselves, to make a fresh start, to break yesterday's patterns, to stop telling ourselves we can't when we can or that we are stuck when we are eminently free (sic) (Rav Nachman of Bratslav, LM 1:76). I'm filled with gratitude to this month's participants for their presence and reflection. May their experience - and yours - bear fruit as mine did this week, offering respite from the weight of the world.
This week's parasha, Noah presents us with the destruction of the world save the individuals and animals brought into the ark as specified by the Holy One. When the waters recede, Gd establishes a covenant with Noah and all of humanity (people and animals included) that a flood will never again destroy the earth. This is the sign that I set for the covenant between Me and you and every living creature with you for all ages to come. I have set My bow in the clouds and it shall serve as a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth (Genesis 9:12-13). We know that the rainbow is a natural phenomenon. As Ramban (Nachmanides,13thc. Spain) reminds us, We have no choice but to accept the opinion of the Greeks who maintain that the rainbow is an entirely natural phenomenon caused by the sun's rays striking the moist air after a rainfall. In the wake of the mabul/flood, Gd calls attention to the luminous arc in a new way. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between Gd and all living creatures, all flesh that is on earth. That...shall be the sign of the covenant that I have established between Me and all flesh that is on earth." (Genesis 9:16-17). Post flood, the rainbow is blessed with new meaning and so are we.
The rainbow, a sign of hope, courage and renewal reminds us of the ephemeral in life. Sitting in the clouds, it reminds us to pay attention to the moment and be open to what might be. Life is not static. Things shift and change. Context offers new perspective. As we move into shorter days and changing surroundings, may we each experience renewal and a genuine sense of promise for the future. Keyn Y'hi Ratzon/So May it Be
Shabbat Shalom, rg
The traditional blessing for seeing a rainbow invites us to bless Gd for remembering the covenant, holding true to that commitment and keeping Gd's promise. May we all be blessed with the opportunity to experience a rainbow and recite Barukh Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melekh HaOlam Zocher HaBrit V'NeEman Bivrito V'Kayam b'Ma'Amaro.
Congregation Habonim 103 West End Ave New York, NY 10023
